# Install ipatool with Homebrew, MacPorts, Nix, scoop CLI tool for searching and downloading app packages from the iOS App Store. Version 2.3.2 via Homebrew; verified 2026-08-03. Also installable with nix: nix profile install nixpkgs#ipatool. ## Install ```sh sudo av install brew:ipatool ``` Additional install commands: ### macOS - Homebrew (100%): ```sh brew install ipatool ``` Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata - MacPorts (94%): ```sh sudo port install ipatool ``` Evidence: MacPorts ports tree: sysutils/ipatool/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ### Linux - Nix (92%): ```sh nix profile install nixpkgs#ipatool ``` Evidence: nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/ip/ipatool/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ### Windows - Scoop (92%): ```sh scoop install main/ipatool ``` Evidence: Scoop official bucket manifest trees: bucket/ipatool.json from https://api.github.com/repos/ScoopInstaller/Main/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ## Package facts - **Package key:** brew:ipatool - **Package manager:** Homebrew - **Version:** 2.3.2 - **Source summary:** CLI tool for searching and downloading app packages from the iOS App Store - **Homepage:** - **Repository:** - **Last updated:** 2026-08-03T15:04:01Z - **Generated:** 2026-08-03T19:37:03+00:00 ## Executables - ipatool (alias) ## Install behavior - Bottle: not available ## Freshness - Page generated: 2026-08-03 - Package-manager version: 2.3.2 ## Project history and usage ipatool is Majd Alfhaily's command-line tool for searching the iOS App Store and downloading IPA app packages. It became a prominent package-manager item because it exposes App Store package retrieval as scriptable CLI commands instead of a GUI-only workflow. ### Project history The project reached a v1.0.0 release in May 2021 as a CLI for searching and downloading iOS App Store packages. Its README defines the core workflow around App Store authentication, search, purchase/license acquisition, and download commands. The 2.x line broadened the tool's practical scope. Release notes show fixes for Apple-side authentication changes, support for downloading by app ID, restoration of purchase behavior, older-version download support through external version IDs, and dynamic auth endpoint handling. ### Adoption history ipatool's adoption is unusually high for this batch: the GitHub repository has thousands of stars and packaging across Homebrew, MacPorts, Nix, and Scoop in the supplied package metadata. The project also ships binaries for several operating systems through GitHub releases. Its popularity tracks a real gap in Apple's ecosystem: developers, archivists, testers, and power users often need reproducible IPA acquisition for apps their Apple ID can access, while Apple's official tooling is tied to graphical or platform-specific flows. ### How it is used Users authenticate with `ipatool auth`, search App Store listings with `ipatool search`, obtain a license with `ipatool purchase`, and download packages with `ipatool download`. The README documents text and JSON output modes, non-interactive operation, and platform selection for search. The wiki FAQ documents an important limitation for Apple Silicon Mac sideloading: Apple stopped serving macOS-compatible sinf data for app packages, so users may still retrieve an iOS app package but need other device-side or signing steps for some workflows. ### Why package nerds care ipatool is package-nerd catnip because it packages a cloudy, account-bound store protocol behind a familiar CLI surface. Its value is not just the binary: it encodes App Store endpoint behavior, storefront metadata, authentication, and download workflows that can break when Apple changes server behavior. The formula's significance is also operational. A one-command install makes ipatool usable in scripts, CI experiments, archival workflows, and repeatable troubleshooting without asking each user to build a Go project. ### Timeline - 2021-05-22: v1.0.0 marked the initial public release. - 2021-06-08: v1.0.4 added iTunes Store region selection. - 2022-12-08: The GitHub wiki home page was edited with FAQ navigation. - 2025-01-21: v2.1.5 added downloading by app ID and fixed authentication affecting search and download. - 2025-02-10: v2.1.6 fixed the purchase command after Apple-side API changes. - 2025-06-10: v2.2.0 added older-version download support with external version IDs. - 2026-02-16: v2.3.0 resolved auth endpoint selection dynamically and added resumable incomplete downloads. ### Related projects - Related workflows include Apple's App Store services, IPA signing and sideloading tools, device-management tooling, and package archives. ipatool is distinct from patchers such as ipapatch because it obtains app packages rather than modifying them. - Its package ecosystem spans Homebrew, MacPorts, Nix, and Scoop, which makes it a cross-platform CLI rather than a macOS-only helper. ### Sources - - - - - ## Security Notes broad file, network, media, or database tool signal. - **Geiger risk:** blue / medium - broad file, network, media, or database tool signal ## Other Package-Manager Records - Nix - ipatool: normalized package name match | nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/ip/ipatool/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - MacPorts - ipatool: normalized package name match | MacPorts ports tree: sysutils/ipatool/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - Scoop - main/ipatool: normalized package name match | Scoop official bucket manifest trees: bucket/ipatool.json from https://api.github.com/repos/ScoopInstaller/Main/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ## Combined YAML source View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/ipatool.yml](https://github.com/mxcl/pkgdb/blob/main/combined/ipatool.yml) ## Sources - pkg.so package database - Geiger risk classifier - curated package history - pkgdb category and tag curation - external package-manager database matches - cross-ecosystem install command graph